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Saint Anthony of Padua: Apostle, Miracle Worker and Hammer of Heretics
BY FR. THOMAS DE SAINT-LAURENT*
No sooner was Saint Anthony’s body laid to rest in the Church of the Friars Minor in Padua when the faithful began to flock to his tomb.
The pilgrims came from everywhere to venerate the remains of the extraordinary man who had inspired the crowd by his words and his miracles. They gathered around the glorious sepulcher with such respect that they removed their shoes when approaching it. Even the noblest of knights and the most distinguished people approached the remains of the man they considered a powerful protector.
Anthony did not forsake those devoted to him. He healed the sick and consoled the afflicted, multiplying signs and wonders. It is worthy of note that in order to receive his favor, one had to have first received the sacraments. So great was the flow of penitents that there were not enough religious in the convent to hear all the confessions.
Moved by these manifestations of popular devotion, after a thorough examination of his life, Pope Gregory IX solemnly canonized the servant of God on May 30, 1232. Less than a year had elapsed since the death of the new saint.
And this initial fervor did not abate. Devotion to Saint Anthony of Padua has spread to all of Christendom. Far from declining over time, it enjoyed renewed interest in the nineteenth century. A statue of this great miracle worker with the Divine Child in his arms is to be found in most churches throughout the world. Numerous testimonies attest to his intercessory power.
Lithograph depicting Saint Anthony's public appeal and overwhelming sanctity
Saint Anthony enjoys immense influence with God, for he reached a high level of perfection. Yet his life was short: he died at thirty-six, and spent most of his lifetime in obscurity. He devoted a mere nine years to preaching, yet his apostolate, made fruitful by extraordinary virtue and miracles, has borne rich fruit throughout history.
Seeking the Divine Will
The well-known miracle worker was born in Lisbon in 1195, and christened Fernando. His oldest biography recounts that he studied at the school of the cathedral adjacent to his father’s house. There, prayer accompanied study. In this atmosphere of piety, he undoubtedly received his first religious experiences, so profound and yet so gentle in souls predestined to the priesthood.
Like other saints before him, Anthony experienced the “thorn in the flesh.” The devil, envious of his virtue, tempted him with impure thoughts. Fernando opposed the enemy with the sovereign weapon of prayer.
One day, while the struggle was at its most intense, he took refuge in his beloved cathedral. Exhausted from struggling against temptation, he traced a cross on the wall of the stairwell that led to the cathedral’s tower. Tradition has it that the stone softened under his fingers and retained the imprint of the sacred sign.
Our saint emerged victorious from these painful struggles. To his very death, he preserved his innocence.
Wanting at any cost to save his soul and preserve his heart for God, at the age of fifteen, Fernando entered the Canons Regular of Saint Augustine, occupying the Monastery of Saint Vincent Outside the Walls in Lisbon.
From his first day as a novice he faithfully observed the Rule. To preserve the quality of his interior life, he obtained permission from his Prior to be sent to Coimbra to the Monastery of Santa Cruz (Holy Cross) where the motherhouse of the Portuguese congregation of the Canons Regular was located.
Fernando possessed the power to recall information with incredible accuracy; he never forgot what he committed to memory. Consequently, he acquired such a thorough knowledge of Sacred Scripture that his teachers and religious brothers were astounded. Upon completion of his theological studies, our saint, now fully prepared for the extraordinary mission reserved for him by God, received Holy Orders.
Five Franciscan Missionaries
After his ordination, Fernando was given the charge of hospitality at the guesthouse adjacent to the monastery. Such a modest task placed him in contact with the Friars Minor (Franciscans), who had settled in Portugal in 1217 and often came to the monastery for alms. As guest master, Fernando often welcomed the mendicant Friars. Thus it was that in 1219 he came to know five Franciscan missionaries that the patriarch of Assisi sent to Morocco to preach the Faith.
To reach infidel territory, the missionaries had passed through Coimbra and paused for a few days. Upon reaching Morocco, the Friars requested an audience with the Muslim prince, who, at the time, was Abu-Jacub. They planned to share the dogmas of the Faith with him, but were denied the privilege. The Friars were not discouraged, but instead began to preach in the streets and public places. One day, as they were addressing a crowd, the monarch passed near them. The fearless missionaries did not balk, but continued their exposition of holy doctrine without hesitation. After they refused to leave the country, Abu-Jacub was furious. He had them imprisoned, then viciously tortured and martyred. Their remains were returned to Coimbra as sacred relics, where Fernando came into contact with them.
Their sublime and joyful spirit must have touched Fernando, consumed since his childhood by the dream of martyrdom. He anticipated the blessed moment, when for the name of Jesus, he himself would fall under the executioner’s sword.
Word of the death of these Franciscan preachers inspired Saint Anthony to become a martyr himself.
But how to attain that goal? He would renounce his life in the monastery and enter the Franciscan Order. With filial piety, he confided his thoughts Word of the death of these Franciscan preachers inspired Saint Anthony to become a martyr himself. to his Superior. Despite the sorrow of losing such a remarkable companion, the Canons Regular recognized the work of grace in his aspirations. They yielded to the divine will and generously authorized Fernando to go to the Franciscan militia. The saint donned the habit and withdrew into the small convent of Olivais, where his name was changed to Anthony.
A Change of Plans
The Minors had only good things to say about such a recruit. Rather than enter as a simple novice, he was initiated into the practices of his new religious family. Early in the fall of 1220, he was sent to Morocco, accompanied by a brother by the name of Phillip. Our saint departed from his native land, whence he was never to return. He left, his soul flooded with joy in the hope of soon fulfilling his dream of martyrdom.
As so often happens, Providence had other plans for him. As soon as he arrived, Anthony fell so seriously ill that he was bedridden for months. His extreme weakness, and perhaps also an order from his Superiors, forced him to return to Europe.
Assailed by a violent tempest on the return trip, the ship he had boarded with his companions could not reach the coast of Portugal, and was instead pushed all the way to Sicily by the storm.
Saint Anthony's aspirations of martyrdom were foiled by a storm that blew the Wonder Worker's ship along a different path.
There he learned of the convocation to the General Chapter meeting in Assisi. Saint Francis had summoned every brother who was not detained elsewhere by duty, and three thousand responded to the invitation.
After attending the meeting, Anthony was assigned to the little hermitage of Monte-Paolo, near Forli in northern Italy. Anthony would serve as chaplain to the religious engaged in solitary preparation for apostolic work. During this time, he led a life of pure contemplation for several months.
From the Shadows of Obscurity
To his life of prayer, Anthony joined manual labor. He generously offered to take on the most menial of duties. He was seen, silent and smiling, sweeping the house and washing the dishes. He accomplished his tasks with so much ease and such joy that no one around him thought him fit for anything else.
An unforeseen event abruptly interrupted this daily existence. The saint was asked to accompany some of the religious of Monte-Paolo going to Forli to receive Holy Orders. In the monastery of this town, he met young Dominicans, who had also arrived to take part in the upcoming priestly ordinations and whom the Friars Minor were graciously hosting.
Photograph of the marble baptismal font at which the infant Anthony became a child of the Church
It so happened that the guardian of the convent asked the Dominicans to address a few words of exhortation to the ordination candidates assembled there. Declining, they pleaded lack of preparation. So, the Superior turned to Anthony, ordering him to speak and proclaim simply what God would inspire him to say.
Friar Anthony obeyed. He began in a modest tone. Little by little, his voice became more vibrant. The divine fire consuming his heart set his words ablaze. The speaker allowed the flow of his eloquence to carry him, and those who heard him were moved and delighted.
It was a revelation for the Franciscan family. Friar Anthony, whom everyone took to be ignorant—was an incomparable master! One did not know what to admire the most in him: his knowledge, so vast and sure, or his incredible humility, which had buried such treasures in anonymity for so long. The Provincial of Romagno and the Patriarch of Assisi himself, were immediately informed.
From now on, the saint would devote himself entirely to preaching.
Now, it was well known that Francis of Assisi, the founder of the Franciscan order, abhorred that false knowledge used by the mediocre to puff themselves up. On the other hand, true learning and piety he held in respectful awe. Saint Francis moved quickly to encourage the young speaker whose brilliant success had so newly inaugurated his career. He even assigned to him the task of teaching the Friars theology. The letter that Saint Francis wrote to Anthony on this occasion bore the following inscription: Fratri Antonio, episcopo meo. “Brother Anthony, my bishop.” This formula shows how highly the Founder regarded the sacred learning of his peer.
Master of Doctrine
Anthony exercised his ministry in various countries, including what is today Italy and France. He engaged in a vigorous campaign against the Cathars and the Patarins. These heretics, direct descendants of the Manichean sects, all too often concealed their perversion of intelligence and mores beneath an apparent austerity. Unfortunately, they attracted numerous adherents. Efforts to bring them to repentance had garnered only mediocre results, since those who tried lacked the depth of knowledge necessary to win them back to the true Faith. Anthony brought to the controversy a solid doctrine, which challenged their minds, while the example of his holiness succeeded in drawing their hearts. Conversions abounded. Several of these souls who returned to the Faith, not content merely with renouncing error, entered into the way of perfection.
From 1224 to 1226, Anthony evangelized France. The Provincial Chapter, held in Arles at the end of the summer of 1226, brought Anthony to Provence. From Provence, Anthony returned to Italy for the last five years of his short life. He did not remain long there, but left such a lasting impression of his time that not even the intervening centuries have succeeded in erasing it.
Then Anthony came to Rome during the pontificate of Gregory IX. Quickly discerning his exceptional gifts, the illustrious Pontiff had him preach before the College of Cardinals then gathered for a Council in the Holy City. The Pope awarded him the highest praises, extolling his knowledge of the Scriptures, which Anthony knew by heart.
Pope Gregory IX awarded Saint Anthony the highest praises, extolling his knowledge of the Scriptures, which Anthony knew by heart.
This was not the only assignment that Anthony fulfilled in the Eternal City. He gave several sermons there, and may even have preached during the entire season of Lent. Attracted by the magnificent solemnities of Holy Week, numerous pilgrims flocked to listen to him. Some, who did not understand Italian very well, came only to see this Friar Minor to whom so many miracles were attributed. God renewed in their favor the miracle of Pentecost: while the saint spoke, each of these foreigners heard him in his native language.
The saint did not settle permanently in Padua until 1229. In this powerful and rich city, given to pageantry, and made famous for its university, he surpassed himself. His activity doubled. His influence transformed the city that had been ravaged by the scourge of usury.
In France as in Italy, crowds inundated the churches where the saint spoke. At times, the numbers of the faithful were so great that the largest of the cathedrals could not contain the congregations. Then Anthony, instead of using the pulpit, would deliver his homily outdoors on a makeshift platform. His initial biographers reported that he would sometimes deliver his sermons before nearly thirty thousand people.
The preaching of Anthony was different in that he did not limit himself to merely exhorting his listeners. He instructed them. He gave to them a solid and profound doctrine. His written sermons testify to this. For instance, his sermons on the Blessed Virgin Mary are utterly remarkable from a dogmatic point of view.
He stood up against vice with fierce intensity, denouncing it with intrepid spirit. He especially denounced pride, sensuality and avarice. The latter roused his particular indignation, and rightly so: is there anything that offends Christ so thoroughly? The Master has given us everything. He gave Himself up for us without counting the cost. Would He not spurn the hardened heart unmoved by his neighbor’s distress?
The eloquence of the saint bore greater fruit than such fleeting encounters. Many conversions occurred. Enemies reconciled, while thieves and usurers restored ill-gotten goods to their rightful owners. Sinners turned to the Sacrament of Penance to receive forgiveness for transgressions.
Foundations of Apostolic Work
So great a success can only be explained by the brilliance of the saint and the height of his holiness, but more especially by the wonderful atmosphere in which he moved. Throngs venerated him as a miracle worker. Indeed, he accomplished countless miracles of unquestionable authenticity. Miraculous events sometimes accompanied his words, thus stamping his preaching with the seal of the divine.
For the secret of his apostolic success one must probe Saint Anthony’s interior life. Great evangelists are always great contemplatives, drawing from their union with Christ the divine sap, which makes their labor bear fruit. Anthony of Padua was no exception: to the utmost degree, he was a man of prayer and meditation, despite his busyness.
Death surprised him in one of these solitary retreats, so dear to his heart. At the end of the spring of 1231, he sought the rest and solace for which his soul longed in the countryside around Padua. He had withdrawn to the rural area of Camposampiero, belonging to Count Tiso. This nobleman welcomed the saint with joy. He endeavored to render his stay as pleasant as possible, having a kind of miniature cell fashioned high in the branches of a great walnut tree upon Saint Anthony’s request. Upon coming down from his tree on June 13, he felt faint. In the little convent of Arcella in Padua where he had been rushed, the face of Anthony lit up in his agony and a smile brushed his lips. He seemed to be gazing into the Divine. The monk who witnessed this radiant transfiguration asked the dying man what he was seeing:
“I see,” Anthony responded, “the Lord Jesus Christ calling me.”
We know by his own admission, that on several occasions, he had received celestial visitations. In particular, Our Lady appeared to him on an Assumption vigil, while he was in the south of France.
The Immaculate Virgin also rescued her faithful servant by visible interventions. Twice, at Brive and at Padua, the demon assailed the ardent preacher who labored to reclaim so many of his victims. In desperation, Anthony called out to Mary. The Queen of Heaven appeared amidst a brilliant light and chased away the evil spirit.
The Savior also visited Saint Anthony who, as an ancient tradition reports, had received the hospitality of the Lord of Châteauneuf in the Limousin region of France. This lord proposed to attend carefully to the needs of the religious whose reputation awed him. At dusk, with indiscreet curiosity, he peeked into his guest’s room to see what he was doing. He was witness to a grace-filled miracle: the divine Child rested in the arms of Anthony who adored Him reverently.
Gift of Prophesy
As well as miracles, God granted the gift of prophesy to his servant. While Anthony was in Puy, he met a rich young attorney living a life of worldly pleasure. He worried little about his duties as a Christian and, finding the sermons depressing, he preferred the conversation of friends such as himself, who lived recklessly.
In imitation of his Divine Savior who reattached the severed ear of Malchus in the Garden of Gethsemane, Saint Anthony miraculously reattaches the entire foot of one young man.
Curiously enough, Anthony recognized among the crowd the very attorney who had hardly given him a second thought. Whenever Anthony would see him, he bowed before him with respectful tenderness. The young man responded with naïve laughter, thinking the monk had mistakenly judged him on his comely appearance. After many such encounters, he began to wonder if the zealous religious were attempting to indirectly reproach him by such excessive demonstrations for his irresponsible behavior.
One day the two men found themselves suddenly face to face. As usual, Anthony bowed respectfully. The lawyer, furious, let fly his rage and angrily demanded from the Friar the reason for such extraordinary salutations.
“Know,” the miracle worker responded, “that I venerate in you a future martyr for Christ. You will one day shed your blood for the Faith.”
History confirmed the saint’s prediction. Sometime later, the Holy Spirit melted the hardened and worldly heart of the attorney. He left on pilgrimage to the Holy Land. In a disputation with Muslims, he vehemently criticized their false prophet, and so valiantly defended our dogmas that they murdered him out of hatred for his faith.
The funeral of the incomparable apostle Anthony proved less an occasion for grief than a celebration of victory. The streets of the city were too narrow for the lengthy procession. The Franciscan chapel could not contain the crowd of those gathered there.
From the very first day, the pilgrims came from all over to pray at the gravesite, which God glorified by frequent miracles. Several months after the death of Anthony, the Roman Cardinals, charged with examining the cause of his canonization, retained forty-seven miracles as authentic among those submitted to their judgment. Gregory IX considered the number sufficient and rushed to enlist the humble friar in the catalog of saints.
Conclusion
From century to century, Anthony granted to those who called on him, the wonderful power of his intercession. Down through the centuries, he has multiplied the miracles in favor of those who invoke him with confidence.
Also and often, one attributes to the saint lost objects found against all hope. Don Inigo Maurique, who was the bishop of Cordoba in the sixteenth century, had lost an ecclesial ring of great value. He had invoked Saint Anthony in vain. He related his frustration to his secretaries who were eating with him. “I have obtained great graces through the intercession of this illustrious miracle worker,” he said to them, “but this time, I cannot acclaim his services.” Hardly had he pronounced these words when an invisible hand dropped the lost ring onto the table. This vividly impressed the people so worthy of faith who witnessed the miracle.
In our troubled times, when morals have been tossed out the window and doctrine dismissed, how many need Saint Anthony’s help. So great, indeed, are the goods and the faith in need of restoration! ■
Miracle Stories
“Is quaeris miracula,” intones an ancient verse, dear to the Franciscan Order, “if you are looking for miracles” . . . seek the help of Saint Anthony, and your request will soon be granted.
The Heretic and the Mule
One day, Saint Anthony was speaking with a heretic concerning the Eucharist. The unfortunate man obstinately refused to admit the mystery of transubstantiation, for he perceived no change in the sacramental species after the words of consecration. In vain, Anthony presented proofs drawn from both Scripture and Tradition. When his efforts failed before the stubborn obstinacy of his interlocutor, he decided to alter his strategy.
“You possess,” he told the man, “a mule that you ride often. I will present a consecrated host to it; if it falls on its knees before the Blessed Sacrament, will you recognize the real Presence of the Savior under His Eucharistic appearance?”
“Certainly,” responded the unbeliever, who felt confident that the outcome of such a proposition would be to the apostle’s detriment.
They agreed to attempt the test three days later. The heretic, in order to insure victory, starved the beast of all food. On the appointed day and set time, Anthony, who had prepared himself by doubling his prayer, left the church, carrying a ciborium in his hands. The skeptic arrived leading the famished animal by the bridle. A considerable crowd had gathered on the square, curious to attend such a remarkable sight. With a smile on his lips, the unbeliever, thinking that victory was already his, set a sack of oats before the animal. But, given free rein, the mule turned away from the feed extended to it and instead bent down before the sacred Host. It did not straighten or stand up again until it had received permission from the saint to do so.
It is easy to imagine the effect the miracle produced. The heretic honored his word and converted. Several others who had shared his stubborn unbelief also abjured their errors.
A Mysterious Occurrence
Burdened by work and crushed by his apostolic labor, our miracle worker struggled at times in reconciling his duties as a religious with the ardor of his zeal. Though he fulfilled his monastic obligations in due time, he found it difficult to refuse requests to preach. In extreme cases, he used the miraculous powers he had been given.
On Easter Sunday in 1224, he was to preach at the Cathedral of Montpellier and sing the gradual and the Alleluia at the High Mass of his monastery. He found the means to do both.
Calmly, he climbed the stairs into the pulpit. He spoke in front of the bishop, clergy and an immense crowd eager to hear him. Suddenly pausing, he covered his head and seemed absorbed in deep meditation. At that very moment, the Friars Minor also perceived him in their own chapel, prayerfully fulfilling his duty.
Meanwhile, at the cathedral, the congregation, astounded by such extraordinary silence, believed he had gone into ecstasy. After a few minutes, the preacher came to himself and finished his homily.
The faithful, sensing a mystery, sought to uncover what had really occurred. After inquiring into the matter, they quickly realized that the saintly man had accomplished one of those marvels of bilocation so rarely observed even in the lives of the greatest of saints. ■
*This selection of text is a summary adapted from Saint Anthony of Padua, by Fr. Thomas de Saint-Laurent.
